Richard Thomas | |
---|---|
Born | John Paul Richard Thomas May 2, 1938 |
Nationality | American |
Alma mater | University of South Florida Louisiana State University |
Known for | Describing over 60 animal species, including the common coquí |
Scientific career | |
Fields | Taxonomy, systematics, herpetology, evolution |
Institutions | University of Puerto Rico, Río Piedras Campus |
John Paul Richard Thomas (born 1938) is an American taxonomist and systematist, and retired professor of herpetology and evolution at University of Puerto Rico-Rio Piedras (San Juan, Puerto Rico). [1] He described several species new to science, mostly amphibians and reptiles, from throughout the Caribbean islands including the common coquí (Eleutherodactlys coqui), [2] the national animal of Puerto Rico. [3]
Thomas was born in Jacksonville, Florida, USA, on May 2, 1938. [4] At the University of South Florida, Thomas graduated as a Bachelor of Arts in 1969. Later, he went to Louisiana State University and obtained a PhD in 1976. [1] [5]
Thomas' research has focused mostly on amphibians and reptiles, spanning several fields from natural history to systematics and evolution. His studies have yielded descriptions of new species of dwarf geckos ( Sphaerodactylus ), blind snakes (Scolecophidia), [6] [7] and rain frogs ( Eleutherodactylus ). [8] [9]
During his career as herpetologist, Thomas has described more than 60 new species. [8] [9] [10] A non-comprehensive list of described new species includes:
Nota bene : A binomial authority in parentheses indicates that the species was originally described in a different genus.
Richard Thomas is honored in the scientific name of a species of lizard, Liolaemus thomasi . [1]
Sphaerodactylus is a genus of geckos from the Americas that are distinguished from other Gekkota by their small size, by their round, rather than vertical, eye pupils, and by each digit terminating in a single, round adhesive pad or scale, from which their name is derived. All species in this genus are rather small, but two species, S. ariasae and S. parthenopion, are tiny, and – with a snout-vent length of about 1.6 cm (0.63 in) – the smallest reptiles in the world.
The common coquí or coquí is a species of frog endemic to Puerto Rico belonging to the family Eleutherodactylidae. The species is named for the loud call the males make at night. This sound serves two purposes. "CO" serves to repel other males and establish territory while the "KEE" serves to attract females. Since the auditory systems of males and females respond preferentially to different notes of the male call, this is an example of a sex difference in a sensory system. The common coquí is a very important aspect of Puerto Rican culture, and it has become an unofficial territorial symbol of Puerto Rico.
Eleutherodactylus is a genus of frogs in the family Eleutherodactylidae. Many of the 200 species of the genus are commonly known as "rain frogs" or "robber frogs", due to their sharp, high-pitched, insect-like calls.
The web-footed coqui, stream coqui, Puerto Rican stream frog, or Karl's robber frog, Eleutherodactylus karlschmidti, is a possibly extinct Puerto Rican frog species in the family Eleutherodactylidae. It was first described by Chapman Grant in 1931, and was named after herpetologist Karl Patterson Schmidt. It is the largest Eleutherodactylus species of Puerto Rico.
The fauna of Puerto Rico is similar to other island archipelago faunas, with high endemism, and low, skewed taxonomic diversity. Bats are the only extant native terrestrial mammals in Puerto Rico. All other terrestrial mammals in the area were introduced by humans, and include species such as cats, goats, sheep, the small Indian mongoose, and escaped monkeys. Marine mammals include dolphins, manatees, and whales. Of the 349 bird species, about 120 breed in the archipelago, and 47.5% are accidental or rare.
Eneida's coquí is a species of coquí, a small variety of frog endemic to the main island of Puerto Rico and its archipelago. Known as coquí de Eneida in Puerto Rico, this amphibian is mainly terrestrial. Its average adult size is from 1.0 to 1.2 inches. It has a number of small warts located across its back and eyelids. Its main color is a light tone of greenish or grayish brown with a yellow tint on its underbelly. They often have a pair of light colored concave lines located on their backs. Their eyes are golden or green colored, generally dark colored with black venal reticulation. Its habitat is located in mountains that are 1,000 to 3,000 feet above sea level. This species seems to have suffered a population reduction, in the process disappearing from areas formerly considered its natural habitat. The reason behind this reduction is under study, and Eneida's coquí has been designated an endangered species until the cause is discovered. This population decrease is not considered to be linked with the loss of its habitat, which has prevented the protection of its habitat.
Eleutherodactylus portoricensis is a frog native to Puerto Rico that belongs to the family Eleutherodactylidae. Its vernacular English names are upland coqui, mountain coqui, and Puerto Rican robber frog. It is found in the Toro Negro State Forest and other similar mountainous regions.
The bronze coqui, Richmond's coqui, coquí caoba, or coquí de Richmond is a species of frog in the family Eleutherodactylidae. The specific epithet, richmondi,
The Virgin Islands coqui is a species of frog in the family Eleutherodactylidae. The species is endemic to the British Virgin Islands and the US Virgin Islands.
The dwarf coqui or elfin coqui is a species of frog endemic to Puerto Rico. It is placed in the subgenus Eleutherodactylus.
Great Dog Island is an uninhabited islet of the British Virgin Islands in the Caribbean. It is located in a smaller sub-group of islands referred to as the Dog Islands, or more commonly, "The Dogs". Other islets in The Dogs include Little Seal Dog Island, East Seal Dog Island, West Dog Island and George Dog Island, all of which are to the northwest of Virgin Gorda.
The Barahona big-scaled sphaero, also known commonly as the Barahona big-scaled geckolet, is a species of lizard in the family Sphaerodactylidae. The species, which is a very small gecko, is endemic to the Dominican Republic.
Schwartz's worm snake is a species of snake in the family Typhlopidae. The species is endemic to the Dominican Republic.
Albert Schwartz was an American zoologist who worked extensively with the herpetofauna of Florida and the West Indies, and later with butterflies. One magazine article once dubbed him as one of the "Kings of West Indian Anole Taxonomy".
Ernest Edward Williams was an American herpetologist. He coined the term ecomorph based on his research on anoles.
Sphaerodactylus beattyi, also known commonly as the Saint Croix's sphaero, Beatty's least gecko, and the cotton ginner gecko, is a species of lizard in the family Sphaerodactylidae. The species is endemic to Saint Croix in the United States Virgin Islands. There are two recognized subspecies.
The Guantanamo collared sphaero, also known commonly as the Monitongas collared geckolet and Schwartz's dwarf gecko, is a species of lizard in the family Sphaerodactylidae. The species is endemic to Cuba.